Scientology in Russia

Scientology has been subjected to considerable pressure from the state in Russia.

Church of Scientology Moscow v. Russia

Main article: Church of Scientology Moscow v. Russia

In April 2007, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Russia for repeatedly refusing to consider the Moscow Church of Scientology's application for the status of a legally valid religious association. The court found that the reasons given to deny re-registration of the church by the justice department and endorsed by the Moscow courts had no legal basis.

Other events

In July 2007, the St. Petersburg City Court ordered that the city's Scientology center be closed for violating its charter by engaging in unlicensed health care services. A court in Samara came to a similar decision in November 2008, closing down the activities of the local center for practicing without a license.

In September 2009, the European Court of Human Rights issued a binding ruling in favor of two Scientology branches in Surgut and Nizhnekamsk, which had been denied registration as "religious organizations." The two organizations were awarded 20,000 € in costs and damages. The ruling, which cannot be appealed, said that Russia could not ban the Church of Scientology simply because it did not have a long history in the country.

In December 2009, the court closed the Dianetics Center in Naberezhnye Chelny.

See also

• Scientology status by country
• Religion in Russia

External links

• Church of Scientology International - Russia